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Medical Services
Radiology Services
Appointments for Radiology Services exams may be made by calling Mon General's Scheduling Department at (304) 598-1642. You must have a valid written physician order form when you arrive to register for your appointment at Mon General. (Some physicians' offices fax the written orders to the hospital, but we encourage each patient to bring his/her copy to the hospital to avoid any confusion.)
Mon General offers the following Tests:
Cardiac Cath Lab/Special Procedures performs invasive cardiac and Radiologic procedures including diagnostic procedures for left and/or right heart catheterization, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty, arthrectomy, and coronary stenting, rotoblator and electrophysiology and Pacemaker and defibrillator insertions. The most prevalent diagnosis is coronary artery disease. The Imaging Procedures Unit (IPU) staff care for most of these patients pre and post invasive procedures. If you are pregnant or suspect you might be, please tell your doctor.
Nuclear Medicine is a study of the physiological and metabolic processes of the human body by acquiring diagnostic images after administering radioisotopes, either alone or tagged to chemicals normally used by the body. Nuclear medicine services utilize single photon emission imaging, and also include limited therapeutic procedures utilizing isotopes as specified in the Radioactive Materials License. Nuclear Medicine is used to image bones and organs, with the capability of tagging specific blood cells. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, you need to discuss this with your physician. Nuclear Cardiolite Stress Tests are done in combination with Cardiovascular Services.
Cardiovascular Services provides cardiac testing or treatment to maintain optimum physiologic maintenance of the cardiac system to patients. Procedures performed by the department include stress testing, echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiograms, placement of Holter and Event monitors, and EKG. Cardiolite Stress Tests are done in combination with Nuclear Medicine.
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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your head and body. Your doctor uses these detailed, clear images to identify and diagnose a wide range of conditions. Mon General has a Philips Panorama high field open MRI scanner. The hospital offers MRI services Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Patients must have a physician order and insurance pre-authorization prior to having an MRI scheduled. If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, you may NOT have an MRI exam. If you have any metal in your body, you need to tell the MRI Technologist. A vigorous screening of your medical and work history will be done prior to your MRI to ensure your safety. For safety reasons, only patients who pass the medical screening can have an MRI exam performed. Call 598-1642 to schedule an appointment.
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General Diagnostic X-Ray uses electromagnetic radiation to make images of your bones and internal organs. An X-ray allows your doctor to take pictures of the inside of your body. X-ray is a painless medical test that can help your doctor in diagnosis and treatment - even in emergency situations. It is a fast, easy and safe way for your doctor to view and assess conditions ranging from broken bones to pneumonia to cancer. Many different types of X-rays, such as bone or chest X-rays, exist. The type your doctor uses depends on what part of your body is being examined and for what purpose. If you are pregnant or suspect you might be, please tell your doctor or the Radiologic Technologist prior to your X-rays.
CT Scan (also called CT, computed tomography or CAT scan) is an X-ray technique that produces images of your internal organs that are more detailed than those produced by conventional X-ray exams. A CT scan uses an X-ray generating device that rotates around your body and a very powerful computer to create cross-sectional images, like slices, of the inside of your body. Often times, the patient needs to drink oral contrast and/or receive IV contrast to differentiate internal organs and vessels so that a more accurate diagnosis can be made.
Unlike MRI, CT scans can be done even if you have a pacemaker or an internal cardioverter defibrillator - devices implanted in your chest to help regulate your heartbeat. However, if you're pregnant or suspect you might be, tell your doctor. Your doctor may suggest postponing the procedure or choosing an alternative exam that doesn't involve radiation, such as an ultrasound or MRI.
Ultrasound(also called diagnostic medical sonography or sonography) is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures within your body. These images often provide information that is valuable in diagnosing and treating disease. During an ultrasound, the Ultrasound Technologist presses a small hand-held device (transducer), about the size of a bar of soap, against your skin. This transducer emits pulses of sound waves into your body. Your body then bounces the sound waves back to the transducer. The transducer sends this information to the computer, which composes detailed images based on the patterns created by the sound waves. Some ultrasounds are done with the transducer inside your body (Transvaginal Ultrasound, Transrectal ultrasound, etc.) Most people associate Ultrasound with Baby Scans, but ultrasound is actually used for much, much more!
Although ultrasound is a valuable tool, it does have its limitations. Sound does not travel through air or bone very well, so ultrasound is not effective at imaging parts of your body that have gas in them or that are obscured by bone. Other imaging tests may need to be ordered.
Mammography is X-ray imaging of your breasts and is designed to detect tumors or other abnormalities. Mammography can be used either for screening purposes or for diagnostic purposes (when a breast lump is present, ultrasound is usually also ordered in combination with a mammogram). The radiologist looks for evidence of cancer or non-cancerous (benign) conditions that may require further testing, follow-up or treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older have a screening mammogram every year. Because breast cancer screening involves more than just mammography, remember that some not all cancers may be seen on mammography but may be detected with a physical breast examination. A patient receiving a mammogram must not wear deodorant, powder, or perfume under her arms or on the breast area since these products will show up on the x-ray and may cause confusion when reading the mammogram.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a minimally invasive nuclear medicine imaging modality that uses radiopharmaceuticals to measure differences in metabolic activity between tissues. Mon General offers a contracted service, provided one day every two weeks, when a patient need arises. PET is used for tumor diagnosis, disease staging and termination of therapeutic response and disease recurrence. The radiopharmaceutical is injected into the patient and imaged using a PET scanner that is displayed and available for computer processing.
To learn more about how to prepare for your test, click on the link below for the type of test you are scheduled for:
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